The ramblings of the 51 year old Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church of Detroit.
Piety Hill refers to the old name for our neighborhood. The neighborhood has changed a great deal in the over 150 years we have been on this corner (but not our traditional biblical theology) and it is now known for the neighboring theatres, the professional baseball and football stadiums and new hockey/basketball arena.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Teaching Notes - September 23, 2012 - Today in 1951

Today...in 1951…

Glancing through the Parish Chronicle in the parish library published for Sunday, September 23, 1951 (yes, 61 years ago) we see these interesting notes -

A letter, written some two weeks ago, has arrived from Col. Paul Rusch telling us about some of the plans for the reception and stay of Bishop and Mrs. Emrich in Japan. In the course of the letter he speaks of the plans to dedicate the new St. John’s Rural Library-Parish House (the 90th anniversary gift ot the parish to the Japanese Church) and mentions the fact that the Emperor’s brothers, Prince Takamatsu and Prince Misaka as well as the governor of Yamanashi prefecture will probably be present at the service.

During the summer a contract was let by the vestry for the raising of the three houses to the East of the Chapel on Vernor Highway (now the Fisher Freeway Service Drive - ed.). Old landmarks in Detroit, their condition became such that it seemed wise to demolish them and use the property for other purposes. It has been leased for a parking lot and it is expected that the work of clearing and preparing the land will be completed by October 1.

The women of St. John’s Guild which meets each Monday morning at 10:30 in the Parish House are again assisting in the work of making cancer pads. They are in need of contributions of white cloths such as old sheets, pillow cases, etc., for this worthy work.

The dormitory for service men operated since last spring has had almost capacity use throughout the summer. Thirty beds are available and supervision and admission is in the hands of the U.S.O.. Thus far, St. John’s is the only church in the Metropolitan Area rendering this service for men in our armed forces.

Plans are going on apace for the second annual St. John’s Fall Music Festival to be held in the Church on the evenings of October 21, 22, and 23. Fernando Germani, world famed organist of the Vatican in Rome, has been engaged as the leading artist.